David - Deacon Ordination

Last night, David was ordained to be a deacon.

He was nominated over a month ago by a fill-in-the-blank ballet by the congregation.[Brothers, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. Acts 6:3NIV]

So, it was very humbling. After a few weeks of prayer, we decided to accept the nomination. He spent yesterday afternoon with the other deacons, being "tested." (i.e. They ask him a lot of Biblical questions/testimony/etc...to make sure he holds fast to the same Truths). Since David had not been ordained in the Baptist church, they planned an ordination service for him.

If you know David, he hates the attention. However, he was very humble. It was very moving to see every ordained man come lay hands on him, and pray over him. He is such a wonderful man of God. I am blessed to be his wife, helpmate, and confidant.


1 Timothy 3:8-13NIV
Deacons, likewise, are to be men worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain. They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience. They must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons. In the same way, their wives are to be women worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything. A deacon must be the husband of but one wife and must manage his children and his household well.Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus.

Here's a few pics that our friend, Patricia, took for us!


Our friends told us we looked like morticians! LOL... we were both wearing black & white. Even E.D. is there supporting Daddy!

The Greek word "diakonos" means servant.

We still got to rock it out with the praise band for some worship time! I'm on the left (sitting at the keyboard, david's on the right jamming on the bass).





Big changes for David this year!
Graduated from grad. school.
Started teaching at MSU.
Becoming a deacon.
Becoming a daddy.

My heart is swelling with pride and joy (as well as my belly, HA!) Lots of love to the family & friends that read this blog. God just keeps pouring on the blessings.

Easy Life Equation

I'm sorry it's been a while since my last little devotion LaLa. I'll try keep it short and simple (Ha, I always say that!!) I continue to find myself in James. It’s such a powerful little book. I rarely pick out a single verse to share. I think that can be dangerous at times…..because some will try to twist the meaning. I encourage my girls to read the entire chapter (even the entire book of James) for the context of this little fragment.

James 4:7
Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

It’s such a simple equation.
(Submit to God) + (Resist the Devil) = The Devil flees

Submit: It seems so logical…..yet, it happens to be the last thing we do.
Resist: It seems again so logical……yet, we rarely do consistently.

This must be a life pattern, a daily pattern, a moment-by-moment pattern. I can see areas in my life that God has been glorified by this pattern…..and sadly, other areas that I fail miserably in. The good news is that God is merciful when we fail.

I find it so liberating that I can make the Devil flee (not on my own… in submitting to God, we are letting Him do the fighting for us). It’s so easy to forget that we are powerful as believers. Thru faith, we can even move mountains (Matthew 17:20). Why do we forget that God is our strength, our mighty fortress? I, myself, will wonder why the Devil is really sticking it to me... and I let him. C.S. Lewis's "Screwtape Letters" chronicles this simple life equation much more vividly than I can.

As my redneck uncle would say, "It's open hunting season......and the devil is in my scope....... Watch him run boys!!!"

Listen & Act

Ok, for my girls... I'm trying to continually post things God is doing in my life right now. Wherever you are on your journey, whatever you are called to do.... I hope that something speaks to you. All my love, K-rin

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does.
James 1:22-25

I have verse 25 on my cubicle wall at work. I have to remind myself that it’s not enough to read the bible….I actually have to do the things God tells me to do. Sometimes, as Christians we deceive ourselves that the process of “going to church, listening to the preacher, or doing our bible study” is enough. Nope, it says that if we are to be blessed- we actually have to do what it says.

There is a person at work that continually aggravates me…..and I need to remember that I am called to love this guy. I am called to “continually read the word” and
“continually love” this guy. Only after putting the word in action, do we receive blessing. I don’t know about any of you but I’ll take all the blessings I can get!! So, again for my attitude……. I have to adjust it!! I have to think positively. I have to be joyful in ALL circumstances…

Attitude Adjustment

Friday! It's Friday!!
I (kk) thought I'd never be a person who worked for the weekend....yet, here I am.....cheering it on. I think there are a few people in the world that have a job that isn't work, David is one of them. He would do "weather" for free....and basically did while he was in Kansas. I, on the other hand, work for a living. Occasionally, I find inspiration & enjoy a project or two. The main difference is..... I truly believe God made MAN different than WOMAN. God made man the hunter, the gatherer....the provider of his family. You can't tell me that men don't love killing a deer or bringing home a fat turkey. The sense of self-fulfillment is evident. "ME MAN, ME BRING MEAT!!" Laugh, but it's true. Yet, here I am....in a role that goes against my creation. Now don't misunderstand me. Proverbs 31 clearly spells out that a virtuous woman is a good business woman. However, I believe the intent of that woman is to take care of her family, to add respect and favor to her husband. For all you single women, single mothers, and like me...women who are the main bread-winners of your family...I have discovered the secret to a good attitude.
I find much more contentment in taking care of David than the actual process of "working." When I focus on how I was created, as a helpmate....I am much more content. However, it is very easy to feel the burden of "hunter/gatherer" when you focus on the actual labor. I won't say I am always successful in this line of thinking. Nevertheless, when I do think it.. peace instantly ensues. I do look forward to a time when the burden will be shared. Regardless, the point [Sisters] is to be joyful where you are at... and to realize we were created to care for our family and friends... whether we are a stay-at-home mom....or a two-job "workin for the weekend" woman.

A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.
Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.
She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.
She selects wool and flax
and works with eager hands.
She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from afar.
She gets up while it is still dark;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her servant girls.
She considers a field and buys it;
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
She sets about her work vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks.
She sees that her trading is profitable,
and her lamp does not go out at night.
In her hand she holds the distaff
and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy.
When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
She makes coverings for her bed;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
Her husband is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
She makes linen garments and sells them,
and supplies the merchants with sashes.
She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.
She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
"Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all."
Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
Give her the reward she has earned,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
Proverbs 31:10-31

This passage talks about all the things a wife/a woman does for her family. She is a hard worker. She provides food, clothing, and wealth to her family. It speaks of her work, her tasks. Isn't it interesting that other than the work she does for her family and friends....is that she "laughs at the days to come" and "speaks with wisdom and faithful instruction"?! She has gained wisdom thru her hard work. She doesn't have to worry about the future because of her hardwork...and she can encourage others with her faithful perseverance. I want to be this woman. She's not asking for praise in what she does (I know I want it sometimes), and because of that she receives it. It's not the spinning of the wool that drives her/or gives her joy....it's in seeing the warmth it provdes her family.

LaLa asked me to post a devotional every so often. So, this was my first attempt. I know that most women have memorized this passage... but it still never gets old. For me, I gain something new each time I read it. I have been studying attitudes lately in my devotions. There are so many other passages that reveal much to attitudes. Yet, what I love about the Word is how you not only can see what is written but what is not written. This noble wife did not have a bad attitude. She was focused on the right things, with the right attitude.